Commercial Manager – Middle East

About GRS

GRS specialises in insights and data analytics for the exhibition and entertainment sectors, delivering value through cutting-edge technologies and strategic insights. Trusted by major exhibition organisers and entertainment venues across the Middle East and Italy, GRS was proud to serve as the customer experience insights supplier for Expo 2020 Dubai. We excel in helping the Experience industry optimise opportunities through innovative research methods and analysis.

Role Purpose

The Commercial Manager – Middle East will lead the development of GRS's commercial activities across the region, with a strong focus on the UAE and broader Middle East markets, while contributing to the longer-term growth of Saudi Arabia in line with company strategy. This role is responsible for driving revenue growth through consultative, value-based selling, developing new client relationships, expanding existing accounts, and supporting the successful introduction of new GRS products and services across the Middle East. The position requires a senior commercial profile capable of understanding complex client needs, shaping tailored research and advisory solutions, and articulating the strategic value of GRS's insights to senior stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Development & Revenue Growth

• Lead commercial development across the Middle East, with particular emphasis on the UAE and selected regional priority markets.
• Identify and secure new client opportunities across exhibitions, leisure, destinations, cultural venues, and live events.
• Contribute to the phased development of the Saudi Arabian market in alignment with longer-term strategic plans.
• Build and manage a healthy regional pipeline, ensuring sustainable revenue growth.

Consultative Selling & Solution Design

• Engage clients in structured, consultative discussions to understand strategic, operational, and commercial challenges.
• Shape and propose tailored research, insights, and advisory solutions that address client objectives.
• Work closely with insights, research, and delivery teams to ensure commercial proposals are robust, relevant, and differentiated.

Product & Market Development

• Support the introduction and commercialisation of new GRS products and methodologies across Middle East markets.
• Act as a bridge between the market and internal teams, providing feedback on client needs and emerging opportunities.
• Contribute to refining value propositions and positioning to reflect regional market requirements.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong, senior-level relationships with organisers, venue operators, destination authorities, and government-linked entities.
• Lead complex commercial discussions, proposals, and negotiations through to contract agreement.
• Maintain ongoing senior engagement with key clients to support retention, upsell, and long-term partnerships.

Regional & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Represent GRS at regional exhibitions, industry forums, and networking events across the Middle East.
• Contribute to regional forecasting, commercial planning, and strategic growth initiatives.

Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's or master's degree in business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field.

Experience: Proven experience in commercial roles within professional services, or related advisory environments. Demonstrated success in selling bespoke, non-standardised solutions.

Market Knowledge: Strong understanding of the Middle East market.

Communication: Exceptional presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills. Excellent command of English and Arabic languages.

Commercial Acumen: Strong proposal development, negotiation, and value articulation skills.

Mobility: Willingness to travel across the Middle East as required.

Key Competencies

• Consultative Commercial Leadership: Ability to drive revenue through insight-led, advisory selling rather than transactional approaches.
• Market Development: Experience developing new opportunities and expanding market presence across diverse regional contexts.
• Client-Centric Solution Shaping: Skilled at translating client needs into tailored, high-value research and insights solutions.
• Senior Relationship Building: Trusted partner to executive and senior stakeholders across public and private sector organisations.
• Commercial Judgement: Strong negotiation skills with an understanding of value, margin, and long-term client impact.
• Resilience & Accountability: Comfortable operating in complex markets with long sales cycles and shared ownership of outcomes.

Why Join GRS?

• Work with a recognised leader in insights & analytics for the exhibition & experience industries.
• Play a key role in shaping GRS's commercial growth across the Middle East.
• Collaborate with experienced consultants, analysts, and sector specialists.
• Be part of a business that values intellectual rigour, client impact, and long-term partnerships.